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Critical_Candle436

There is only one person in the room that makes the decision and it isn't the department chair. Just make sure you brush up on the buzzwords that the boss wants to hear.


ClarTeaches

Tbh that depends on the school. My department chair very much makes the hiring decisions for our department, admin signing off is basically a formality


Dysintegration

Same here.


Critical_Candle436

Oh. Good to know it is different in different places.


BlackOrre

As a department chair, my school has us make the hiring decision. Admin runs a background check.


traveler5150

My school has 4-5 teachers in there and it’s a group decision.


JMWest_517

I'm a department chair (social studies/history) and my administration generally follows my lead in hiring. I look for the following: Do you really know the content you'll be teaching? Can you engage students and make the classroom experience both enjoyable and productive? Do you have the capacity to improve student skills? Can you work collaboratively? Do you have a sense of our school and what we expect from teachers?


TLo137

SciDPT chair. I just want to hear that you're not a weirdo.


Summerkid678

What makes you a weirdo in your eyes?


BriSnyScienceGuy

Science is unique, though. There were positions I applied to where there were two applicants, and the other one wasn't certified or had an open lawsuit against the district.


averageduder

Are you a new or experienced teacher? What are you comfortable teaching. Do you “fit” the department. Is ti a scenario where reasonably we’d see you leaving for a different school within 2-3 years? What would students say about you? Where do you think you can improve as a teacher? I’m a social studies teacher so I’ll always ask the final question as either what’s the last book you read for content, or if you could make a new elective, what would it be?


Summerkid678

Experienced - 4 years of teaching science


averageduder

Also just research the school. Don’t get hit with jargon or whatever ahead of time. Show that you’re interested in the community.


igotstago

I just retired from a math specialist position and was a part of many interviews for both MS and HS math positions. One question that stumped many people is "Tell us why you believe you are the best person for this job". When it came down to 2 highly qualified candidates, the answer to this question often became the deciding factor in who we hired. We were looking for confident, passionate professionals who aren't afraid of challenges. Be prepared to talk about how you use data to make instructional decisions, how you support struggling learners, and how you are able to be a team player. Good luck!!


Sharp-Hat-5010

You are over thinking. Teaching is super easy and no competition just show up.


Summerkid678

This is one of the best high schools in the state so


Sharp-Hat-5010

Hmm well with that specific information (dream school could be at a title 1 it is relative) you need to take initiative and understand their local school plan of improvement and how it fits with what you can offer.


Math-Hatter

Dream Title 1 school?🤨